On the way to her first Tae Kwon Do class tonight, Baby Duck did her best "Hi-yah" with a Karate chop.  She announced it was "Hi-yExcellent!"  I was encouraged that she was so excited to try something new.
    I made a wrong turn on the way there, which ironically almost never happens unless E is in the car with me.  I guess I should be flattered that E thinks I am infallible and therefore feels the need to be thoroughly exasperated when I have to turn around.  Sorry, Baby.  I screw up sometimes.  Don't you feel lucky to be around almost every time I do? (This really has very little to do with the story itself, but I needed to get that off my chest.  Now off the rabbit trail and back to the main path...)
    We got there a few minutes late, but Baby Duck darted right in and got going immediately.  Two things I really noticed in class tonight:
1) When they separated the large class into small groups to practice technique, Baby Duck immediately started chatting with the little boys right next to her.  My reaction to this was mixed.  I was excited because my very outgoing daughter has some social awkwardness in new situations and I like seeing her become comfortable quickly, but I was displeased because she was talking in class and I was afraid she was going to get in trouble.
2) When they lined up and took turns punching at the arm shield the teachers held, I was slapped in the face with the realization that my 5-year-old daughter punches like a girl!!!  And I mean wild, windmill-style flailing, with loose fists and limp wrists.  Wow.  I do not punch like that.  She did improve a bit during class, though.  Also, I know she is a very hands-on learner.  When we got home, I showed her how to do it properly by actually standing behind her and putting her arms in the proper places myself so she could figure out how it felt to do it right.  She started to really get the hang of it after that.
    The best part was in the car on the way home when she asked if she could do that again.  Because, really, that's the point of all this.  I want her to try all kinds of different things so she can find something she loves.  Or, she can find that she loves trying lots of new things for the rest of her childhood.  That's cool, too.  These are supposed to be enriching activities.  Enjoyment is an important part of that.  Plus, I want her to know how to disable a grown man just in case the Boogey Man shows up at the park when my back is turned one day.

CL